Information on the gathering at 10 Downing Street on 18 December 2020

Freedom of information request reference no: 01.FOI.21.022279

I note you seek access to the following information:

I would like to request the following information regarding the Met Police's knowledge of an actual or alleged social gathering ("the gathering") at 10 Downing Street on 18 December 2020:

1. Is the gathering known to the Met Police at the time of receiving this FOI request
2. Was the gathering known to the Met Police prior to 30 November 2021
3. Was the gathering known to the Met Police prior to 18 June 2021
4. When was the gathering first known to the Met Police
5. The content of the earliest piece of information relating to the gathering held by the Met Police
Additionally, I would like to request the following information relating to Met Police Officers providing protections to government buildings, officials, and ministers:
6. The policy (in place on 18 December 2020) a protection officer should follow when they witness an ongoing criminal offence committed by a protection subject

Decision

I have today decided to disclose some of the requested information. Some data has been withheld as it is exempt from disclosure and therefore this response serves as a Refusal Notice under Section 17 of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (the Act) by virtue of the following exemptions:

Section 30(1)(a) - Investigations and proceedings conducted by public authorities

Reason for decision

With regards to Questions 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5, the MPS has recently launched an investigation into a number of events that took place at Downing Street and Whitehall in the last two years in relation to potential breaches of Covid-19. Therefore, disclosure of any information such as that which you have requested, may impact upon our current investigation.

I have today decided to disclose the requested information relevant to Question 6.

However, in regards to Questions 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 of your request, having located and considered the information relating to these, I am afraid that I am not required by statute to release the information requested.

Section 30 - Investigations and proceedings conducted by public authorities - The release of any details that may relate to an ongoing investigation could hinder the prevention or detection of crime and impact upon that investigation. The MPS released press lines on 25/01/2022, which outlines our position.

Therefore, we would not wish to reveal any further details, such as what and when information is recorded and the extent of our investigation as this would clearly undermine the law enforcement and investigative process. This would impact on police resources and more crime would be committed, placing individuals at risk.

The release of information which provides assurance to the public that the police service is appropriately and effectively engaging with the threat posed by various groups or individuals, can only build confidence in the role of the police in protecting the citizens of London.

In safeguarding the integrity of any police investigations and operations that may be ongoing. There is a need to ensure that any investigation is not compromised by releasing information before the conclusion of a case.

The Police Service is charged with enforcing the law, preventing and detecting crime and protecting the communities we serve. As much as there is public interest in knowing that policing activity is appropriate and balanced this will only be overridden in exceptional circumstances. The area of police interest is a sensitive issue that reveals local intelligence, therefore after weighing up the competing interests I have determined that to disclose any details of a crime(s) that is subject to an ongoing investigation might compromise that investigation. Disclosure under the Act is a disclosure to the world not just to the individual making the request. The release of any information in relation to these alleged offences, may disclose what evidence is held and may give those who were involved, an insight into the nature and scope of each investigation.

Please see the ‘Disclosure’ Section below for information relevant to Question 6.

Disclosure

The following information is disclosed in response to Question 6 of your request.

Q6 - The policy (in place on 18 December 2020) a protection officer should follow when they witness an ongoing criminal offence committed by a protection subject

There is no policy specific to protection officers in this situation. Protection officers are police officers and, as such, are expected to act within the law and their training. This would fall within the MPS value of integrity and is applicable to all officers and staff regardless of the role performed.

College of Policing - Code of Ethics - 2021/02.pdf (See pages 5 and 10)